Institute for Certification of Computer Professionals

The ICCP was founded in September 1973 by 8 professional computer societies to promote certification and professionalism in the industry.

The certification programs began in 1960 with discussions that led to the development of the Certified Data Processor (CDP) examination by the Data Processing Management Association (DPMA). The first CDP examination was given in 1962 at New York University. In 1970, DPMA introduced the Registered Business Programmer (RBP) examination. Although the concept of a "Computer Foundation," representing various aspects of the data processing industry and engaged solely in the formulation and administration of certification programs had been discussed within DPMA for some time, DPMA took a concrete step in that direction in 1972 when it formed a five-member Certification and Testing Advisory Committee consisting of distinguished EDP practitioners including representatives of other professional associations. Deliberations of this committee led to a recommendation in the fall of 1972 for the formation of a Computer Foundation whose main purpose would be implementation of long-range objectives of professional certification programs. This foundation concept was approved by the ACM Council and DPMA International Board of Directors. Subsequently, the Computer Foundation Organizing Committee was formed and co-chaired by John K. Swearingen of DPMA and Fred H. Harris of ACM. The name "Institute for Certification of Computer Professionals" was adopted and the organization was incorporated. On 15 March 1974, DPMA and ICCP signed an agreement that transferred all rights and interest in the CDP and RBP examination programs from DPMA to ICCP.

With the establishment of ICCP, the program was transferred to the Institute with the intent that certification in general and the CDP in particular would be better supported and more widely received under the auspices of an industry-wide organization. As the industry expanded and more specialized areas emerged, ICCP introduced new examinations to reflect the specialized areas. In 1977, ICCP first offered the Certified Computer Programmer (CCP) examination. The CCP was developed by DPMA as the Registered Business Programmer (RBP) examination. The Certified Systems Professional (CSP) program, developed by the Association of Systems Management (ASM), was transferred to ICCP in 1985.

In 1993, the ICCP included 11 constituent societies and 6 affiliate societies.